ALP set for battle of Bass

Jordan Crugnale will contest the seat of Bass in the 2018 state election.

Former Bass Coast Shire mayor Jordan Crugnale has been preselected as the Australian Labor Party’s candidate to contest the seat of Bass in the 2018 State election.
The self-described community activist said she was “absolutely thrilled and honoured” to have been selected.
“Whether its fighting for jobs, investing in our schools and hospitals, or upgrading local facilities, I will always stand up for people,” Ms Crugnale said.
Ms Crugnale lives in Inverloch, has two young children and has a background in the arts, mental health, and education and community development sectors.
Her roles have ranged from on-the-ground community-led initiatives in the Kimberley, Latrobe Valley and Waterline towns of Westernport Bay through to high level strategic and advocacy projects, most recently as councillor and mayor with the Bass Coast Shire.
Ms Crugnale said as a local resident, she was aware of the challenges faced by the region.
“The Bass electorate is unique in that we have the outer metro area of Pakenham, the prized agricultural land of Cardinia, a tourism dependent economy of Phillip Island and a coastline made up of marine parks, reserves and significant wetlands,” she said.
“We are experiencing rapid population growth and with that comes numerous challenges and expectations.”
She said many people and families were struggling, housing and income stresses were increasing, “and the provision of aged, disability and mental health services are either stretched or too far away”.
“I will be a strong advocate within the Labor team to ensure we get the services we need, continue to protect the resources and natural assets we have and change for the better some of the health and wellbeing stats currently too high when compared to other areas,” Ms Crugnale said.
Ms Crugnale will be up against the current Bass MP, the Liberal Party’s Brian Paynter, who holds the seat with a more than nine per cent margin.
The state election will be held in late November, 2018.